McCORMICK, S.C. – With Hannah Nall and Emilia Nordström leading the way, the Lee University women's golf team carried home the first-place trophy from the Savannah Lakes Women's Fall Invitational that was played at the Monticello Golf Club and hosted by Lander University. It was the second straight year the Lady Flames have won the event.
Nall got the Lady Flames off to an outstanding start in Monday's play when she fired back-to-back rounds of 3-under par 69. In the final round of the 54-hole event on Tuesday the senior cooled a bit and posted an even-par 72, finishing with a 211 and entered a playoff for medalist honors with Carson-Newman's Emery Fisher. Nall lost on the first hole of the playoff.
Nordström had a top-five finish and made the All-Tournament team with rounds of 71-69-74 – 214. Lauren Patterson (University of West Florida) was third (212) while Kajsa Lindqvist of Lander University placed fourth (213).
Other Lee scores that counted were Lehane Louis-Dumond with a 77-71-76 – 224, Justine Emond 76-79-75 – 230, and Olivia Ireland (234) (79-76-80). Coach Geandra Almeida took three players who played as individuals in the tournament. Gabby Diaz posted a 225, Keira DeLand (235) and Kariann Campbell (239).
The Lady Flames put together rounds of 293-285-297 and a total of 875 to win the tourney by 11 strokes over Florida Southern College that finished at 886. Carson-Newman University fired the top round on Tuesday (290) and tallied 888 in placing third. West Florida followed (891) and Lander rounded out the top five (893).
Lee will return to action on Oct. 13th when they travel to Dahlonega, Ga. and take part in the annual LeeAnn Noble Memorial. Their final fall tourney will take place on Oct. 27th when they pay a visit to Toccoa, Ga. for the D2 Currahee Elite Invitational.
Coach Geandra Almeida's thoughts:
"I'm really proud of the team win this week. It was truly a total team effort. We had some individual anchors who stepped up, but every round someone found a way to contribute, hang in there, and help us put together the score we needed. That's what made this win so special. One of our goals coming off last week's home event was to have stronger starts and finishes, and I think we showed that in a big way, especially with that 3-under team score in the second round that really set us apart. Hannah tied for first after two incredible rounds at 3-under. Even though the playoff didn't go our way, I loved how she battled through some tough holes today and still finished strong at 5-under. Emilia was right there as well with a steady, impressive tournament, earning a top-five finish under par. Justine helped us with a solid third round, and Lehane came up big with a 1-under in the second round, which gave us a real boost. The final round wasn't our best start, but the girls never gave up, and we closed it out with a strong finish. I'm so proud of the adjustments we made in such a short period of time, and I'm excited to see what's ahead for this group."
